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One year ago today I was hospitalized not because I was sick but because I was blessed with perfect health. I was able to give 1/3 of my liver to my mom who was suffering from advance liver cirrhosis. I’m at Kumamoto University Hospital again for my first year check up. The results show that my liver is functioning at a 100%. My mother is here also, for her one year check up. Her test are a little more serious. They have to biopsy the liver, give her a CT scan, and blood tests.
Today, my mother and I call it our 2nd birthday, meaning our second chance at life. I am so grateful to have survived the last year. I didn’t realize how difficult it was for me both physically and emotionally. I was in survival mode. With a year’s time to process, I believe what I went through last year was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It wasn’t giving the liver to my mom or the physical part. Although that was extremely painful. The hard part was letting go of the past, the anger, & the fear. Allowing to be unstuck and learning to love my family. Many people tell me how heroic I have been to be a donor, others tell me how I have given my mother a gift. The truth is, I am the one who received the greatest gift of all. I have a family, I have a mother, I feel truly loved for the first time in my life. This has allowed me to open up to be loved by all. How lucky am I to have had this experience. I am so proud of my mother who has recovered from liver disease and her other disease. She has been sober for a year and half. I never thought this would be possible, I am truly grateful.
My scar still hurts and itches, but my doctors tell me its quite normal. My uncle told me that the pain is just a sign that “my body is alive.” I guess that’s a pretty good way to look at it. My mom has been getting her treatment in the U.S. at the UCLA Pfleger Liver Institute. They have been extremely thorough and understanding as we have transferred her care from Japan to the States. I highly recommend UCLA for any who need consultation regarding liver disease and liver transplantation.
On a humorous note, I was discussing with my mom whether it was possible for me to become a liver farm. If the liver grows back to its normal size eventually, is not possible to harvest my liver again? My mom asked her doctor and he said “no”. I think it is possible, they are just trying to deter me from my newest business venture as a liver farmer.

Just dropped off my crispy vegan chocolate chip cookies at “Operation Cookie”. This is an event where the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena collect homebaked cookies for our veterans who are homeless or hospitalized.

I work on the Pet Psychic Show which is a video program and a radio show. We have a weekly show where you can call in and talk to your pets through Laura the Pet Psychic. We are on every Thursday at 12pm PST at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thepetpsychic

Procrastination gives me a clean home and fresh baked cookies. I am procrastinating on writing a paper for school and began working on a new vegan cookie recipe. I am an avid vegan cupcake baker but have yet to venture into cookie baking. But I loved how these turned out so I’m going to share my recipe.

Mix vanilla extract, earth balance, soy creamer and egg replacer in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix sifted flour with sugar, baking soda, and salt. Combine the wet ingredients with dry ingredients. After they are mixed fold in the chocolate/carob chips. Roll into 1 inch balls and bake on cookie sheet until the edges are golden. I lightly sprayed my cookie sheet with coconut spray oil. Enjoy!!!

Being vegan doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the great Irish foods on St. Patrick’s Day. Using the traditional Irish food as inspiration, I created a few dishes today to celebrate St. Patty’s Day. I made vegan colcannon & vegan shepherd’s pie. I also tried to making the colcannon updated with healthier twist. It’s made with cauliflower instead of potatoes & the Shepherds Pie has beets in it instead of carrots.